Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
Zane rose early, determined to get back on a running schedule in preparation for the upcoming marathon.
He threw on a T-shirt and shorts his grandmother had already washed and did a series of stretches, warming up his muscles.
In the kitchen, he downed a couple of glasses of water from the tap since his grandparents didn’t believe in purchasing bottled waters.
He set out at a medium pace, happy to be out in nature and preparing his body for the grueling race ahead.
His thoughts drifted as he ran toward the town square.
The only lights he spotted this early were those coming from Seaside Sweets Bakery, and he supposed donuts were already being placed into ovens, along with kolaches, a Texas specialty.
Once he did a circle around the entire square, he headed toward the water. He was eager to see Tidewater up close and in person today. The culmination of the years put into this resort—or any Wagner Enterprises property—always thrilled him.
He ramped up his speed now, varying his pace over the next twenty minutes, thinking he would need to challenge himself and run along the beach during some of his training.
That would be easily done once he relocated to Tidewater.
He still needed to talk with Gran about her plans for retirement and what would happen to the Driftwood Diner.
His grandparents were hard working people, but Zane wanted them to be able to enjoy life a little bit at this point.
If he could convince her into hanging up her apron and even doing a little traveling to Wagner properties around the world, Gramps would fall into line.
His cell buzzed in his pocket, and Zane removed it, seeing it was a text from Kylie.
Pick you up at 6:20 since you’ll need a ride to the ferry.
He texted back a thumbs up and slipped the phone back into his pocket, concentrating on the remainder of his run—and not the appealing blond.
Zane ran for just over an hour and returned home, meeting up with Gran in the kitchen.
“I thought you might be out running this morning,” she said. “Will we see you for dinner tonight?”
He chugged an entire glass of water from the tap before replying. “Yes. Tonight should be the last night I’ll stay here, and then I’ll need to head over to Tidewater for the next couple of weeks. I’ll still come over and visit and eat with you a few nights if that’s okay with you.”
She smiled indulgently at him. “I’ll take whatever we can get of you, Zane. You ready for your meeting with Kylie?”
He nodded. “You can save you speech about me going easy on her. Gramps already gave it to me yesterday. Said I needed to treat the Mayfields and the community well in these negotiations.”
“You’ll do good business,” Gran said. “You always do.” She paused a moment. “I like that girl. She’s got smarts—and spunk.”
Zane wasn’t about to admit to Gran how much he was taken with Kylie, especially when he was not admitting it to himself.
“I’m taking her over to see Tidewater this morning before we sit down to business.
I thought it would be good to ride the ferry.
See its size and the condition it’s in. Though guests staying at Tidewater will be at the resort a majority of their time, some will still come over to the Bay to eat.
Shop. Take advantage of things, such as the Mayfields’ different charters.
It’ll bring a lot of added income to this town.
Maybe even the diner will see a few new customers. ”
She sighed. “We’re already so busy, Zane. To be frank, I don’t know if I want to gain any more business.”
He knew they didn’t have time for the conversation he wanted to have about them hanging up their aprons for good, so he said, “Now is not the time, but I do want to talk to you about the diner and your future plans with Gramps.”
“We can do that at dinner this evening, honey.”
Zane shook his head. “Nope. I’d rather run things by you first. You’ve always made the decisions, and Gramps goes along with whatever you say.”
She chuckled. “Then we’ll carve out some time for just the two of us.” Her gaze held his a moment. “Remember, you be nice to Kylie Mayfield.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Zane said, not bothering to hide his smile.
He had plans to be more than nice to Kylie. He only hoped that she would cooperate with those plans.
“See you tonight, Gran. I need to hit the shower.”
After showering, he shaved and dressed, putting on khaki slacks and a golf shirt with WE embossed upon it. Usually, he would show up at a new property in a suit and tie, but the relaxed nature of this resort, along with the sweltering temperatures, called for something more casual.
Zane didn’t want to have coffee breath when Kylie picked him up, so he drank a tall glass of apple juice before going to wait for her on the porch, briefcase in hand.
It was still early, and the street was quiet.
He watched a pair of squirrels cavorting on the lawn.
Their antics caused him to laugh aloud. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d slowed down enough to enjoy something in nature.
Maybe the Bay was having a good influence on him, after all.
Then he saw a car turn on the street and stood as it pulled into his grandparents’ driveway. Kylie sat behind the wheel and gave him a wave as he headed toward her.
Opening the door, Zane slid into the passenger seat and buckled his seatbelt, noting she had on a sleeveless dress and pair of nice sandals.
“Good morning,” she greeted.
“Thanks for stopping by to pick me up. Gran and Gramps are already at the diner. Breakfast service gets underway at six. You saved me from a long walk down to the harbor.”
“Well, we can’t have the boss show up all sweaty now, can we?” she said, a teasing light in her sapphire eyes as she backed out of the driveway.
“So, were you up baking more bread this morning, or did you sleep in since you weren’t working a charter today?”
Her rich laugh filled the interior of the car. “I haven’t slept in for years. No bread baking this morning, though. I walked three miles and then came home and did some Taekwondo. I get antsy if I don’t do something physical to start my day.”
“I ran for an hour,” he shared. “I need to get ready for the Bay’s 10K on the Fourth, as well as my upcoming marathon.”
“I guess with you traveling a lot, it’s hard to train when you’re on the road.”
He shrugged. “I make the time. I’ve traveled for so long that I use whatever is available.
I’ll definitely check out the fitness room at Tidewater and do some strength training there.
I’ll also run the entire island. I only went over to it once when I was a kid.
Maybe when I was nine or ten. It was some wedding.
I couldn’t tell you who was getting married because it was too long ago.
I was at that stage where the thought of kissing was icky.
I remember Gran elbowing me in the ribs when I groaned loudly as the couple kissed. ”
Kylie laughed again. “I can see Nellie doing that. She certainly keeps Neville in line. I can’t imagine anyone ever acting up at the diner. She’d probably grab them by the ear and toss them out the front door.”
“Gran definitely isn’t afraid of anyone. She’s the strongest woman I know. A core of steel runs through her. I wish more people had her backbone and code of ethics.”
She turned a corner, making her way to the parking lot next to where the ferry picked up passengers.
“The Island used to be the place for social events in the Bay. Weddings. Reunions. Our high school homecoming dances and proms were held there. Tidewater coming has brought big changes to our little community.”
He frowned. “What are people doing now since The Island’s facilities are no longer available? Believe me, I know the kind of prices we charge for use of our space. It’s not what a typical resident of the Bay can afford.”
“Most people are going across to Renner Beach, either by our ferry or a farm-to-market road. Some are using churches and their fellowship halls more. If someone had the smarts and disposable income, they would build a small event center for the Bay.”
“That’s the least Wagner can do for Driftwood Bay to make up for stealing the facilities at the island,” he said. “I’ll look into doing so.”
Kylie pulled into a parking space and cut the engine. Her gaze met his. “You’re serious, aren’t you? You would actually do that. Have your dad’s company foot the cost and build an event center.”
“Dad would be the first in line to agree with me. After all, we’re talking about his hometown. Besides, the Bay was a second home to me. I may have only spent about six weeks here each summer, but they were the best six weeks of my year.”
“You considered bussing tables and frying up bacon to be the highlights of your life?”
Zane nodded. “I know it’s sounds crazy, but I felt normal in the Bay.
Away from here? I was known as Alexander Wagner’s son.
People treated me differently than they did others.
Parents told their kids to suck up to me.
It was hard to know if someone wanted to be my friend for me—or for what their connection to me could bring them and their parents. ”
“But you trust Sullivan?”
“I was always close with Sullivan. We knew each other from the time we were in diapers. Went to school together. Played on sports teams with one another. Dreamed big about all the things we’d do one day as adults.
Sullivan has always been my North Star, helping to guide me through life.
He’s in my very small circle of those I trust.”
He looked up, feeling he’d shared too much with her. “We better head to the ferry. I see a crowd gathered on the pier.”
It hadn’t struck him that there would be others on the ferry this morning, workers headed to Tidewater. He was used to showing up with the element of surprise on his side.
They left the parking lot and walked down to the ferry. Immediately, conversations ceased when they were spotted.